Study Finds Effective Methods for Smoking Cessation

Aug.30.2022
Study Finds Effective Methods for Smoking Cessation
A study found that varenicline, bupropion, and low-dose e-cigarettes were the most effective smoking cessation methods.

A study titled "Pharmacological and e-cigarette intervention for smoking cessation: systematic review, network meta-analysis, and cost-effectiveness analysis" was conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK. They searched a publication database up to March 2017 and updated their search in February 2019 with randomized clinical trials of smoking cessation interventions lasting for over six months.


The research team ultimately conducted a total of 363 experiments involving 201,045 participants. Additionally, they conducted 53 observational studies, which involved 8,783,5403 participants for safety review purposes.


After analyzing the results, the research team has concluded that the most effective treatment methods are substituting with Varencicline Standard plus Nicotine (odds ratio [OR], 3.22; 95% credible interval [CrI], 2.27-14.88), substituting with Varenicline Low plus Nicotine (OR, 5.70; 95% CrI, 1.57-21.12), and using low electronic cigarettes (OR, 3.22; 95% CrI, 0.97-12.55).


A controversial drug.


On October 1, 2021, the drug varenicline, commonly sold under the name Champix, was added to the World Health Organization's Essential Medicines List. This anti-smoking medication is well-known for helping smokers overcome cravings for cigarettes. However, despite being considered highly effective, it can also cause moderate to severe psychological side effects, ranging from terrifying nightmares to suicidal thoughts.


After multiple reports of such disturbances, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the most severe warning for the drug, causing the sales of Valeni-cline to decrease from $846 million in 2008 to $671 million last year.


In order to overcome this decline, Pfizer, the manufacturer of the drug, has invested heavily in advertising and resolving lawsuits related to the medication. Additionally, the pharmaceutical company has released data retrieved from a study that allegedly proves that consuming Valenicline does not have a direct link to experiencing psychological disorders.


Subsequently, after refusing to lift the warning in 2014, the FDA recently decided to change their stance and abandon the warning. The agency has requested the listing of side effects associated with the drug, and has established a requirement that the label specify that varenicline is more effective than other smoking cessation therapies.


Vonnicron stock recall


Meanwhile, in June of last year, Pfizer was forced to halt distribution of Valsartan after discovering increased levels of nitrosamine in the pills and recalled some of its stock. However, in the following month, the US Food and Drug Administration announced that it would temporarily allow some manufacturers to distribute drugs containing carcinogens below a temporary limit of 185 nanograms per day until impurities could be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.


Disclaimer: 1. The content of this article is compiled from third-party information and is only intended for industry exchange and learning purposes. 2. This article does not represent the views of 2FIRSTS, and 2FIRSTS is unable to confirm the authenticity and accuracy of the content. The compilation of this article is only intended for industry exchange and research. 3. Due to the limitations of the compilation level, the compiled article may not express the same meaning as the original article. Please refer to the original article for accuracy. 4. For any domestic, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign statements and positions, 2FIRSTS fully aligns with the Chinese government. 5. The copyright of the information compiled belongs to the original media and author. If there is any infringement, please contact us to delete it.



Disclaimer

This article is provided solely for professional research, industry discussion, and informational purposes. Any references to brands, companies, products, technologies, or policies are made for factual reporting and analytical purposes only, and do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, promotion, or advertising by 2Firsts.

Nicotine-containing products, including but not limited to cigarettes, e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, and nicotine pouches, carry significant health risks. Readers are responsible for complying with all applicable laws and regulations in their respective jurisdictions, including age restrictions and access limitations.

The information contained in this article should not be regarded as investment, legal, medical, regulatory, or commercial advice. While 2Firsts strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of its content, it does not assume liability for any direct or indirect loss arising from errors, omissions, inaccuracies, or reliance on the information contained herein.

This article is not intended for individuals below the legal age for accessing tobacco or nicotine-related information in their jurisdiction.

 

Copyright Notice

This article is either original content produced by 2Firsts or content reproduced, translated, summarized, or adapted from third-party sources with attribution where applicable. The intellectual property rights of the original content remain with 2Firsts or the respective original rights holders.

No individual or organization may copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, translate, or otherwise use this content without prior authorization. Any unauthorized use may result in legal action.

For copyright-related inquiries, corrections, or removal requests, please contact: info@2firsts.com.

 

AI-Assisted Translation and Editing Notice

Portions of this article may have been translated, edited, or reviewed with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools to improve efficiency and readability. Due to the limitations of AI-assisted translation and editing, discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies may exist when compared with the original source.

Where applicable, readers are advised to refer to the original source for the most complete and accurate information. If you identify any errors or believe that any content infringes upon your rights, please contact us at info@2firsts.com, and we will review and address the matter promptly.

Australian Coalition Unveils Illicit Tobacco Plan With 80% Excise Cut and Legal, Taxed Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Australian Coalition Unveils Illicit Tobacco Plan With 80% Excise Cut and Legal, Taxed Vapes and Nicotine Pouches
Australia’s Coalition has unveiled a national illicit-tobacco policy that would cut tobacco excise by 80% and create legal, regulated and taxed adult markets for vaping products and nicotine pouches if it wins government. The plan proposes an excise of A$0.50 per millilitre of e-liquid and A$0.025 per milligram of nicotine in pouches, alongside A$200 million in additional enforcement and a A$60 million three-year public-awareness campaign. The Coalition says the package would narrow the price advantage of illicit products and undermine organised crime, while Labor and public-health groups warn that dramatically cheaper cigarettes could reverse long-term declines in smoking.
Sep.03
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
Nicotine Pouches Gain Ground in U.S. Convenience Stores as Vape Unit Sales Fall 14%
According to convenience retail publication CStore Decisions, U.S. convenience store tobacco categories are undergoing a structural shift. Based on Circana OmniMarket Total U.S. Convenience data for the 52 weeks ending June 14, 2026, cigarettes remained the largest category with $50.8 billion in sales, but unit sales declined 5.3%. Electronic smoking devices and vaping products also declined, while modern oral nicotine products continued to grow, with nicotine pouch sales rising 29% in dollars and 17% in units. Retailers said changing consumer preferences are reshaping tobacco product assortments at convenience stores.
Regulations
Aug.07
Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
Reuters Tracks Big Tobacco’s Shift Beyond Cigarettes as Nicotine Pouches Vie for the Next Growth Curve
As cigarette markets face long-term pressure, major tobacco companies are increasingly turning to nicotine pouches in search of growth beyond combustible tobacco. Reuters has examined whether nicotine pouches can become the next strategic growth platform for companies including Philip Morris International, British American Tobacco and Japan Tobacco. PMI strengthened its position through the acquisition of Swedish Match and its ZYN brand, while BAT and JTI continue expanding their own nicotine pouch portfolios. The category has gained attention because of its smoke-free, device-free format, but regulation, youth-use concerns and market scale will determine whether it can become a long-term growth engine.
Regulations
Aug.18 by 2Firsts Perspectives
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
Special Report|AIR H1 Revenue Rises 3.7% as Shisha Volumes Fall 9%, Testing Its Shift Beyond Traditional Hookah
AIR’s first half-year results as a listed company offer a new test of how far a traditional hookah business can transform. H1 2026 revenue rose 3.7%, even as Flavored Shisha Molasses shipments fell 9%, with pricing and mix supporting growth. Traditional shisha still generates almost all revenue, while OOKA, Crown Switch, Greentank and U.S. regulatory spending point to accelerating diversification. The next test is whether those investments can become a second business of meaningful scale and profitability.
Capital Markets
Aug.21
BAT Launches Flavored Vuse Pro With Age-Verification Technology in U.S. Without FDA Authorization
BAT Launches Flavored Vuse Pro With Age-Verification Technology in U.S. Without FDA Authorization
British American Tobacco’s Reynolds American has begun selling Vuse Pro in parts of the United States. The product comes in Peach, Berry, Watermelon and Fresh Mint and requires consumers to complete age verification through a smartphone application before the device can be activated. Vuse Pro has not received marketing authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Its launch was included in BAT’s 2026 plan, which calls for distribution through about 25,000 retail outlets in the third quarter and another 25,000 in the fourth. The rollout follows changes to FDA enforcement priorities and the agency’s first authorization of flavored vaping products equipped with mandatory age-verification technology.
Sep.09
InterTabac 2026: Further Sessions on Regulation, Market Access and Innovation Confirmed; 2FIRSTS to Host China Market Forum
InterTabac 2026: Further Sessions on Regulation, Market Access and Innovation Confirmed; 2FIRSTS to Host China Market Forum
InterTabac 2026 will bring together international experts to discuss European regulation, tax policy, Track & Trace, market access, retail impacts, consumer behavior and innovation. Sessions will also examine Poland’s tobacco-growing perspective and the growing fragmentation of Europe’s tobacco and nicotine market. Media partner 2FIRSTS will host the second “2FIRSTS Connect at InterTabac” on September 16, focusing on developments in China’s tobacco and nicotine industry.
Aug.06